Russia and Ukraine Escalate Long‑Range Strikes on Logistics and Energy

Overview

• On Wednesday, Russian forces launched a large missile-and-drone barrage on Kyiv that officials say used dozens of ballistic and hypersonic missiles plus scores of drones and killed at least 17 people while destroying warehouses and logistics hubs.
• Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian economic targets, repeatedly hitting Wildberries distribution centers and striking refineries and ports to degrade Moscow's war economy and supply chains.
• Ukrainian air defences shot down most attacking drones but failed to intercept ballistic missiles, a shortfall Kyiv links to reduced deliveries of Patriot/PAC-3 interceptors and has urged allies to accelerate shipments or production.
• The weaponization of small, piloted FPV drones is spreading: a filmed 'safari' attack chased a vendor in Kherson, Brazil and Colombian criminal groups have shown interest in the tactics, and a senior Russian drone‑industry executive was gravely wounded in a car explosion inside Russia.
• The reciprocal campaign has increased civilian casualties, disrupted trade and ports, and raised the risk that battlefield drone techniques will fuel urban violence and cross‑border sabotage unless air‑defence and export controls are strengthened.